AIAPI President Kelly Forbes recently joined in a high-impact session on AI and Online Safety with Netsafe at the ALTeR Inaugural Conference on 17th April.
The session, moderated by Brent Carey from Netsafe, brought together a diverse panel of experts working at the intersection of technology, policy, and digital safety. Alongside Kelly Forbes, the panel featured Professor Alexandra Andhov (Chair in Law and Technology, University of Auckland), Libby Giles (Consultant and Global Citizenship Educator), Madeline Newman (Executive Director, AI Forum of New Zealand), Michael des Tombe (Chief Legal Advisor, Netsafe), and Simon Martin (Partner, Hudson Gavin Martin) .
Designed as an interactive workshop rather than a traditional panel, the session focused on identifying the most pressing challenges in AI-driven online harm and collaboratively exploring practical, “safety by design” solutions. Discussions highlighted how AI is accelerating the scale, realism, and speed of online risks, while also reshaping the tools available to address them.
Kelly Forbes shared perspectives from AIAPI’s work in the region, reinforcing the importance of cross-sector collaboration to ensure that innovation in AI is matched with robust, forward-looking safety frameworks.
The session underscored a key takeaway; addressing AI and online safety is a complex and evolving system that requires coordinated action across industry, government, and society.
Many thanks to ALTeR, Professor Alexandra Andhov, and NetSafe for the opportunity to contribute to the Inaugural Conference.
